Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-09-14

supporters. Nor was the choice ill-chosen,
as was proven on election day. Mr.. Bart
lett was elected by majority Of 1926
votes. Once in the Mayors chair Mr..
Bartlett showed himself to be as capable of
filling that Office with dignity and honor
as he had other positions of trust. From
the time he entered upon his duties he
never swerved from the path which he had
carved out for himself While recognizing
and approaching all that was due his party,
he did not once allow any party principles
to overcome his sense of right and Justice.
He kept his eyes on all the departments Of
the city Government, and was on the alert
for any sign of job or attempt to defraud
the taxpayers. He used the veto power
unsparingly wherever he thought he de-
tected anything wrong, and undoubtedly in
this way saved to the city many hundreds
of thousands of dollars.
In 1884 the Democratic party again
chose him as candidate, and once again
the people ratified the selection by giving
him 1884 votes majority over his Repub-
lican rival, w. l.. Merry. His second tern
was a repetition of the first. The Mayor
had a wide popularity and name for devo-
ton to public trusts and the cause of the
people
In the Democratic State Convention Of
September, 1886, Washington Bartlett was
nominated for Governor on the Sd day of
September, on the second ballot, receiving
800 votes, against 1877 for ex-Speaker Berry
and 46 for NJ. F. Tarpey The people of
the city had not lost their liking and re-
spect for the man who had served them SO
well and honestly as Mayor, and the peo-
pie of the interior knew Of him we'll bv
reputation, and sent in encouraging state
ments to the effect that they would rally
| around him and make him Governor. The
contest was close, and for many DAYS after
election day it was doubtful whether Swift
or Bartlett had won. At last the official
| returns announced that Mayor Bartlett
| had received majority of 652 votes and
| was the next Governor. He took his seat
on the first of this year. The inaugural
ball at the Capital was a grand affair, and
one that will long be remembered by those
who participated in it.
Of his devotion to duty during the brief
period he occupied the Gubernatorial chair
the public is entirely familiar. When
about fifty years of age Washington Bart
lett had acquired an estate of perhaps lit
tie less than 100000, and he stated that
he had no desire to further increase his
worldly possessions. Two hundred dollars
per month he thought sufficient to meet all
his wants, and his income in excess of that
amount he gave away in judicious and IN
ostentatious charity. He was greatly in
terested in the establishment of. manual
training in public schools, and in regard to
the finances of the State he not long ago said !:
In time of peace and unwonted prosper
ny, with a high rate of taxation, the State
is spending more than her income. She is
not getting value for the outlay This is
all wrong and must be stopped. When the
Legislature adjourns, and l am rested, |
intend to look into the management of all
the public institutions. 1t is there and in
the Board of Examiners that I shall do my
most useful work"
Only a few weeks ago he said at may
seem strange that ], who trust so entirely
to the mercy of God, should refuse to par
don those who are suing for mercy in the
State Prisons; but | believe it to be my
duty to consider the best interests of the
whole State, of the law-abiding citizens of
the State and though pity the poor in
mates of the prison, do not think it right
TO set them free. 1t has been proved to be
bad policy by the many pardons that have
been given hitherto. Personally, if my
own feelings alone were to be considered,
would set every prisoner free, and | have
no doubt if had strength to look over the
papers in their cases, | would find some |
could pardon.
81 have always considered my office
sacred trust given to me by the people and
that l must discharge my duty to them
without regarding my own personal feel
ings."
His conscientious devotion to the trust
placed in his keeping by the people of the
State is well illustrated BY what he said to
an intimate friend at Highland Springs
last June. would like my administra-
ton" said he, to be so managed as to
influence the young men of California to
depend on honest work and not on politi-
cal Offices. hope before my term of
office expires the way will be found to
make the public schools of the State
efficient training schools for the children,
so that in agricultural districts the child
rem will be taught how to develop the re-
sources Of the land to the best advantage;
in mining districts the schools shall be
directed with special advantages for
getting practical knowledge of chemis-
try, geology" etc, and so on When re-
monstrated with because he had not taken
a rest, he said: "There was no time
when could do it honorably. If a man
accepts a position of trust he must not
leave his work. If had known that the
work had to do would kill me, should
have kept on just the same, for l could
not shirk it. | think it has finished me-"
Two brothers survive him, Frank A.
Bartlett, of New Orleans, editor of the
Morning Chronicle, and Columbus Bartlett,
of this city.
The deceased also leaves large number
of nephews and nieces. Thomas p. Ran
dolph, one of his nephews, is at present
Executive Secretary.
In the Bancroft library there is the
only known copy of the first book pub
lished in San Francisco. Its title is:
California as 1t Is and as 1t May Be
A Guide to the Gold Region" Under
the title is this imprint:
San Francisco
Printed by Washington Bartlett
No. Clay street.
1Si9
The Fish Commissioners.
At the meeting of the Board of Fish